If you work in an office, you will probably spend an average of 40 hours a week, which works out to be 8 hours a day, in your office on a weekday. Other than home, your workplace would be the place you spend the most hours in.
Oral and dental care is an important aspect of your overall health and wellbeing. Practising oral hygiene should not be limited to the mornings and evenings at home, and involves more than just brushing and flossing your teeth. Good oral hygiene includes paying attention to your teeth and gums even while you are at work.
Most people want to have good oral hygiene but complain that they are too busy. Here are some tips for achieving good and better oral health:
- Caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea cause teeth staining. It is always a good habit to rinse your mouth after consumption.
- Practice good eating habits, i.e. less sugary food and drinks. Drink water to ensure a hydrated mouth as a dehydrated mouth can affect the pH level in the mouth and give rise to tooth decay.
- If you must, have sugary drinks, coffee or tea together with your main meals. This decreases the instances your teeth are exposed, and reduce the formation of cavities.
- Food stuck between teeth is unsightly and also causes discomfort. It is a good idea to have dental floss handy so that you can use it after meals. Brushing after each meal is a good practice but in the event that it is not possible, rinsing your mouth after each meal will help.
- The effectiveness of teeth brushing depends greatly on brushing in a right manner. The bristles of a toothbrush are also important to ensure that teeth and gums are thoroughly cleaned to prevent plaque build-up. Check with your dentist during your next dental visit to ensure that your brushing techniques are correct. Do change your toothbrush once every 3 months as well.
- Do not allow dental plaque to accumulate and harden into calculus (tartar). Visit a dentist at least twice a year for professional cleaning. This is the easiest step to ensure good oral health all year round. All you need to do is to schedule an appointment with your dentist and turn up.
There are inexpensive travel pack-sized oral hygiene kit (dental floss, toothbrush and toothpaste) available in most pharmacies, and it is convenient to carry an oral hygiene kit wherever you go. Alternatively, you can consider leaving a toothbrush and toothpaste at your work station for convenience. This, according to a survey conducted by Academy of General Dentistry, increases the possibility of brushing your teeth at work by 65%.
Everyone would like to give a good impression and be able to smile confidently in front of their co-workers and clients. Work our tips into your office routine and you will realise that keeping up with good oral hygiene only requires minimal effort. No more facing the embarrassment of having food stuck on your teeth and bad breath. Who wouldn’t want a good set of teeth and a beautiful smile? Start practising good dental hygiene at home as well as at work now!
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